OC Fair board says will look at management of equestrian center over closure

The OC Fair’s Board of Directors has stopped the search for a new operator to run the fairground’s equestrian center, and instead wants to explore a new management model focused on public programming.

Previously, board members had said if a new private operator was not found, the equestrian center would be closed amid high expenses and little revenue. The facility, run by the OC Fair & Events Center, makes revenue through borders and trainers who rent spaces and run programming, such as riding and vaulting lessons.

A request for proposals for an operator who would would be responsible for maintaining the equestrian center grounds, offices and taking care of the horses was posted Dec. 4. However, at a meeting Thursday, Dec. 14, the fair board decided to instead focus on a new model going forward created with input from staff, equestrians and community members.

Gibran Stout, who runs the nonprofit OC Vaulting out of the equestrian center, said for years she and other equestrians have been asking for public discussions outside of monthly board meetings where they could discuss the best ways to manage the 44-year-old center with the board.

Fairgrounds staff and officials have questioned whether the equestrian center provides enough public benefits to justify the costs of running it, suggesting that the center is “not being operated as a public asset” and is “allowing private trainers and borders to profit on state property.”

Equestrians and community members have argued that when it comes to publicly owned land like the center at the state-owned fairgrounds, revenue should not be a reason to shut down. Users of the facility said they have been welcoming to the general public, providing tours and activities that are beneficial, especially for those who, otherwise, would not be exposed to horses.

When considering the magnitude to which the equestrian center serves the public, the fair board compared it to Centennial Farm and Heroes Hall, which are also operating at a loss at the fairgrounds.

Centennial Farm has a budgeted net deficit this year of $701,449, while Heroes Hall’s budgeted net deficit this year is $308,588. A staff report to the board says the two facilities attract thousands of people attending public events and free programming. Because of this, the board has decided the public benefit from the two justify the expense and serve the fairground’s mission.

“We also hear that this is no different than Centennial Farm or Heroes Hall, but … let’s lay out the differences,” Nick Kovacevich, chair of the fair board, said. “For example, you can go to Heroes Hall pretty much any day of the week and walk in as a member of the public. You can also go to Centennial Farm and interact with the animals there, but I don’t believe members of the public can go and interact with the horses on their own. You do have to pay to ride a horse.”

Public benefits and profits are mutually exclusive, said Stout, adding that borders and trainers pay at minimum $1,000 a month for stalls, feeding and some grooming.

“They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on (Centennial Barn and Heroes Hall), but yet they want the horse trainers to subsidize the programs,” Stout said. “They want these programs to be free, but they don’t want to put any money into it. And they vilify the horse trainers for running a business.”

Kovacevich said a new model that includes stakeholders could make the center better and provide greater access to the public.

“It’s hard to think about change and nobody wants to let go of something that they love and are accustomed to,” Kovacevich said. “But I’m thinking about how good this can be given that we have businesses there today that are benefitting the people coming in and loving it.”

The questions is, Kovacevich said, whether to keep with status quo and seek a new operator, or try something new.

“Do we want to say, ‘Hey, we’ve got to move on to a new model where we have more direct visibility into the direct benefits of the public, which means we can spend our money,’” Kovacevich said. “We don’t have to operate at a profit. We can invest our own dollars into this equestrian center and into providing these services for the community, which is exciting.”

Stout said she is cautiously optimistic about the new plan.

“I’m happy that this gives us a seat at the table to have a two-way conversation. I know that that’s going to close the gap. I don’t know that it’s going to close it 100%, but at least it’s a starting point,” she said. “The pattern has been that they don’t include us. But if they do, then I think we’ll make great strides.”

Stout has many ideas for public programming at the equestrian center, she said, such as a veteran equine therapy program, equestrian programs for local youth and teen programs centered around mental health.

Fifth District Supervisor Katrina Foley encouraged the board during public comment to include her and her team in working to keep the equestrian center open.

“My office is here and ready to partner to develop programs. After-school programs, riding programs, equine therapy programs. We can partner with the Health Care Agency, with our Mental Health Service Act funds,” Foley said of various county services. “We really want to protect our equestrian community. Our equestrians are part of Orange County’s history.”